Help Wanted

Old bicycles and young kids don't go together: Eager legs that want to go fast can't turn cranks looped with rusty chains, and loose handlebars and seats make navigating a struggle. Yet, at a 6-month-old group home in Fullerton, Star 6 Children's Foundation, abused and neglected boys ride dilapidated bikes.

"The [bikes] were in good shape, but kids are hard on things like that, like all kids are, so a couple of them got busted up," said Richard Gayton, director of the group home. Gayton asked for volunteer help. For this weekend, he wants about five dedicated folks with some technical prowess to help fix the cycles. "It's because they're so important to kids," he said.

This type of giving is expected countywide Saturday for the sixth annual Volunteer Connection day, where 19,000 people are expected to repair hiking trails chewed up by El Nino storms, paint fences in low-income neighborhoods, spruce up parks, clear beaches of trash and harvest vegetables to feed the hungry.

More than 100 events are offered for environmentally and socially conscious folks with myriad abilities and interests.

"The overall goal of the whole day is to spark an interest so they don't just do it once a year [but rather] do it regularly," said Michael Howard, executive director of Clean Slate--Costa Mesa, a volunteer group that paints over graffiti and creates murals. "Everybody's pretty busy these days, so [volunteerism] slips by. This is a time to stop and say 'Let's get involved.' "

Clean Slate will be at Kramer Middle School in Placentia on Saturday. This year, many events coincide with Earth Day beach and trail cleanups, so crowds could be larger than expected.

The Volunteer Center of Orange puts on the event, which attracted 12,000 helpers to 87 events last year. Several hundred thousand dollars' worth of work will be accomplished in one day.

Since 1992, Volunteer Connection Day--called Neighbors for Neighbors in some communities--has expanded significantly. The turnout shows that Orange County residents, though shown to be reluctant to donate money to charity, are willing to part with their time.

"This is not the '80s anymore, and responsibility to the community is growing," said Fran Mulvania, spokeswoman for the volunteer center. "This is the sixth year [of volunteer day], and the word and support for volunteerism is spreading."

Inner Vision Youth (IVY). Staff a booth to educate the public about recycling and promoting working with youth. Stephanie Barger, (949) 752-1688.

Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center. Support the Hug a Baby campaign by donating a diaper and attending an orientation to learn how to be a mentor to an older child. Robin Beskind, (949) 722-1107.